Second Sunday of Easter 08 April Three Great Days Friday Passion of the Lord

Transcription

1 Second Sunday of Easter 08 April 2018 Three Great Days Friday Passion of the Lord

2 LEADERSHIP TEAMS Worship DAVID HEMMLER, MARION EAGEN, NINA MAGNANI, CINDY DICK, DEBBIE COLAROSSI, RON GRAMBO, DONNA NASSER, JUDY GRAMBO, DANNY MARX, Service JULIE NASTASI, CAROL STRAUCH, JOHN DEVINE, KATE SEBRING, CHRISSY JACOBY DEACON BOB, MEG & JOHN HAMBROSE, JANE FARR, JUDY BURKAVAGE, SUSAN SCANLAND. The Service Team has a complete list of service connected opportunities. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Julie Nastasi at julie.nastasi@gmail. com. Community TRACY BANNON, SAUL & LISA RIGAU, DELIA COPPOLA, YVONNE CRONKEY, BRIDGET WALSH, BILL DURDACH, DANELLE HOGAN, MOLLY JOHNSON, PAM JONES, MARY GRIFFIN, JOE HOGAN. Parish activities and sign-up sheets may be found on the Welcome Cart. For more information, please contact Tracy Bannon at tracybannon@stjosephscenter. Org Word RUTH FRIED, BOB BARRY, JACK RUBANO, CONNIE SHEILS, PATTI STAPLES, DAVID COPPOLA, DEACON BOB, DR. TED TOMASZEWSKI. To learn more about the Word Coordinating Team, please contact Patti Staples at thstapes@comcast.net. Pastoral Council Michele Musheno, Paul Mullisky, Theresa Robinson, Scott Pettinato, Marjorie Barlow, Jim Fleming, Joe Hogan, Bill Donovan, Jane Farr, Dan Haggerty, Donald Broderick, Ted Tomaszewski, Mary Ann Morgan, Logan Lombardo, Deacon Bob, Gemma Chuff, Matthew Walsh, Mary Chuff, Father John. Finance Council Bill Burkavage, John Devine, Paul Gerega, Deacon Bob, Yvonne Cronkey, Ken Paulino, Fr. John. Reflecting on Living the Gospel Have you ever heard news that seemed too good to be true? Maybe that a friend was visiting, or that something special was in store for you? Perhaps the news was so good or unexpected that we needed to see it to believe it. We might be reminded of the motto of Missouri, the show me state. We don t want to get our hopes up only to be disappointed. We want proof. This is precisely Thomas s reaction on hearing the news about Jesus resurrection. Though the disciples had been witness to the risen Lord on Easter Sunday evening, Thomas was absent, and so he functions as a disciple for all of us. In a sense, we stand in the person of Thomas. We were not present that Easter Sunday evening. And perhaps, like Thomas, we reply, seeing is believing. The beatitude that Jesus speaks to Thomas is meant for each of us: Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed. The church gives us this reading on the Second Sunday of Easter, as that is when Thomas had his experience of the risen Lord. Though we are not given the opportunity to put our finger in the nail marks, we, like Thomas, may condition our belief on seeing. The gift Jesus gives his disciples is peace. It is not a peace that the world gives, that is, merely an absence of war. But the peace Jesus gives is a serenity in the face of life. The gift is a sense of calm knowing that Jesus is my Lord and my God and that there is nothing in this life that can separate him from me. In this gospel, Jesus calls us friends. And it is a friendship that can never be broken; its hallmark is peace. For Reflection: Have I ever been swallowed up in Thomas-like skepticism and cynicism? How was that doubt transformed into hope and trust? Jesus Bodily Resurrection W o r s h i p The risen Christ is the standing icon of humanity in its full and final destiny. He is the pledge and guarantee of what God will do with all our crucifixions. At last we can meaningfully live with hope. It is no longer an absurd or tragic universe. Our hurts now become the home for our greatest hopes. Without such implanted hope, it is very hard not to be cynical, bitter, and tired by the second half of our lives. It is no accident that Luke s Resurrection account in the Gospel has Jesus saying, I am not a ghost! I have flesh and bones, as you can see (see Luke 24:39-43). To Thomas he says, Put your finger in the wounds! (John 20:27). In other words, I am human! which means to be wounded and resurrected at the same time. Christ returns to his physical body, and yet he is now unlimited by space or time and is without any regret or recrimination while still, ironically, carrying his wounds. Before God, our wounds are our glory, as Lady Julian of 2

3 Easter Sacraments We believe Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith and the center of our parish life and mission! WE REMEMBER AT MASS April 9-April 14 MONDAY Norwich reflected. That Jesus physical wounds do not disappear is telling. The mystical, counterintuitive message of death and resurrection is powerfully communicated through symbol. The major point is that Jesus has not left the human sphere; he is revealing the goal, the fullness, and the purpose of humanity itself, which is that we are able to share in the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4), even in this wounded and wounding world. Yes, resurrection is saying something about Jesus, but it is also saying a lot about us, which is even harder to believe. It is saying that we also are larger than life, Being Itself, and therefore made for something good, united, and beautiful. Our code word for that is heaven. Many do believe in the bodily resurrection, as do I. But, in a way, that asks little except a mere intellectual assertion of a religious doctrine. We can go much further than that. I choose to believe in some kind of bodily resurrection because it localizes the Christ mystery in this material and earthly world and in our own bodies, the only world we know and the world that God created and loves. Adapted from Richard Rohr, Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self (Jossey-Bass: 2013), 84-85, 87. Monday, April 9 7:00 AM Mass (CSG) 12:10 PM Mass (OLS) Tuesday, April 10 7:00 AM Communion Service (CSG) 12:10 PM Communion Service (OLS) Wednesday, April 11 7:00 AM Communion Service (CSG) 12:10 PM Communion Service (OLS) Thursday, April 12 7:00 AM Communion Service (CSG) 12:10 PM Communion Service (OLS) Friday, April 13 7:00 AM Mass (CSG) 12:10 PM Mass (OLS) The Great Fifty Days The great fifty days of Easter are not an unwelcome, unrealistic, obligation to party on, even if we don t feel like it, but an invitation to explore more deeply the weather of the heart, to awaken our memory of God s presence and power in our lives. Mass Schedule The unavailability of clergy this week necessitates adjustments be made to the daily worship schedule. Please review the attached update with care and attention. It is our hope that no one will suffer any great inconvenience. We have done our best to serve the wonderful daily Mass community given very special circumstances. Margaret Arcangelo Dominic Cruciani Family (OLS) 12:15 PM Leo Lynott TUESDAY Wife Communion Service (OLS) 12:10 PM Communion service WEDNESDAY Communion Service (OLS) 12:10 PM Communion Service THURSDAYy No Intetnion Communion Service (OLS) 12:10 PM Communion Service FRIDAY Katilyn Hennemuth Reap The Family (OLS) 12:10 PM John Dwyer, Jr. SATURDAY (CSG) 5:00 PM (CSG) Saint Gregory s Glen & Bridget Goryeb The Gordon, Burns, Harrington & Morano Families The Family (OLS) Our Lady of the Snows The gifts of bread and wine are offered in memory of Margaret Arcangelo 3

4 S E RV I C E We recognize God s call to serve our parish family and neighbors near and far! $2,360, Pledged $140, Away From Our Campaign Goal The Church of St. Gregory $3.25 Million Expansion and Restoration Help us build for a vibrant future with an Easter gift/pledge to Forward in Faith Capital Campaign today. Go online at TheChurchofStGregory.com or call our offices at for more information! Remembering the Start! In developing our initial plan, we invited all parishioners to share their ideas, hopes, and dreams. Many responded to our survey and others participated in one of fifteen focus group discussions. We received more than four hundred responses. The responses have formed the basis for twelve goals, articulated in our strategic plan Forward in Faith. Currently, with the support of three newly formed Coordinating Teams, our parish is developing initiatives and taking action to implement the goals of our plan in accord with our mission. In surveys, focus group discussions, and meeting with the Pastoral Council, parishioners clearly identified a critical need for additional space given the limitations of our current parish campus. Sunday Offering $8, Easter $38, Weekly Building Fund Payments $4, Love and generosity start here at home. We are grateful for your faithful stewardship which sustains the life of the parish, supports our outreach and ministries, as well as maintains the level of staffing needed to put our mission into action: welcoming the world with open arms, faithful hearts and hands ready to serve. Thank you for your gift of treasure and commitment to do God s work here at the Church of Saint Gregory offered on the weekend of April 1, Thank You! A sincere word of thanks to National Bakery for their generous donation of bread on Holy Thursday. We hope everyone shared in breaking bread at their table! Hands Ready To Serve Weekly Pantry Collection Items Cereal Donations this week will be offered to Leahy Center. Donations of pet food will always be welcomed. Collected at Food Pantry Cupboard 4

5 Holy Thursday In The Garden We cherish our relationship with Jesus and strive to make the gospel relevant to our daily lives! W ORD Confirmation Retreat LED BY OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS On Tuesday, May 1, our annual spring retreat for the Confirmation Class will take place at the Retreat Center at Chapman Lake. All students should be dropped off at St. Gregory s parking lot at 8:30 AM where transportation will be provided to the Retreat Center. Lunch will be served and students will return to St. Gregory s at 3:00 PM. Parents should send permission slips to Candidates Home Room Teacher. Divine Mercy Sunday Today, Sunday, April 8 from 3:00 until 4:00 PM at Our Lady of the Snows Church. The service will include: Eucharistic Adoration, the Sacrament of Reconciliation, Singing the Chaplet of Divine Mercy and will conclude with Benediction. All area faithful are welcome to attend! New Bible Study Help us answer the call of Christ: Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, Dunmore, will offer a Scripture study titled Becoming A Living Witness: A Bible Study of the Early Church. Their devotional ministry team will lead a journey through Acts of the Apostles. The program will begin in the Easter Season on Thursday, April 12. It will run for eight sessions, from 6:30 until 8:00 PM each Thursday through May 31 and will be held in the parish rectory. If you are interested, please call the parish office or Greg greg.solfanelli@gmail.com to register. All are welcome! Religious Formation Classes Classes will resume this Sunday April 08, at 11:00 AM in Our Lady of Peace School. A friendly reminder to all Second Grade First Communion Parents! Sunday, April 29, the second grade will participate at the 10:00 AM mass. Father John would like to meet with parents and students at 9:15 in the church to go over some items for our upcoming celebrations. After mass, Father John will have special gifts for those who will be receiving their First Communion. The students are asked to remain after mass and Deacon Bob will familiarize them on the many items and vessels that are used to celebrate Mass. The students in the Faith Formation program will be dismissed from the church. Schedules of rehearsals for First Communion have been mailed to all parents. If you have not received a schedule, please telephone the rectory. 5

6 C OMMUNIT Y Count Down. Make Your Reservation Today Our Community Coordinating Team is now planning for a Parish Party on Friday, April 20 at 7:00 PM at Constantino s in Clarks Summit. Please respond at your earliest convenience. Opioid Prevention Forums The Gathering Place in Clarks Summit will host a series on Opioid Prevention. This substance abuse awareness series is for caretakers of children grades 5 12 and beyond. The open dialog forum will be held on the following dates: Parish Party! Journey s into Recovery: Let s Be Open Thursday, April 19, 7:00 to 8:30 PM All of the speakers participating address and support our mission and objectives for the series. The four part series is balanced with prevention, education experts, medical experts, legal experts, recovery professionals, and people in recovery. For more information please thegatheringplacecs@gmail.com. Tickets may be purchased on Facebook: The Gathering Place Clarks Summit or Anne Armezzani at the gathering place on line. VIRTUS: Protecting God s Children Monday, April 9, 6:00 to 9:00 PM at Saint Catherine of Siena Parish, Moscow. The session will take place in the carriage house located across the street from the church, behind the rectory. To register, please contact the parish office at College Fair Scranton Preparatory School will hold their annual College Fair, a great opportunity to meet representatives from numerous colleges and universities both in and out of state. The special sessions will help students and parents become familiar with the Application Review Process, College Selection Process and Financial Aid. The invitation is extended to all area high school students and parents. The event will take place on Tuesday, April 10. Comedy Night On Saturday, April 14, the Holy Cross High School Parents Club will sponsor a Comedy Night. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Admission is $25.00, advance reservations only. Included, three separate comedy acts, dinner buffet, beer and non-alcoholic beverages, desserts and door prizes. Must be 21 to attend. Raffle table and 50/50 chances will be available. For tickets or information, contact Holy Cross High School at or Renee Hanna at Congratulations Comets! Saint Gregory s Parish Family wishes to Congratulate the Abington Heights Boys Basketball Team on their recent win in becoming Pennsylvania State Champions in Hershey. We are blessed with having three of the team members in our Parish. They include: Drew Nealon ~Jack Nealon ~ Mikey Malone Your incredible hard work throughout the season has certainly given us a reason to thank you for making us proud. Shout Out to Drew Kettle Scranton Preps Boys Basketball coach Drew Kettel, a champion for Coaches vs. Cancer, has won the 2018 Champion Award, a prestigious national honor with the Coaches vs. Cancer program. For 10 years, Drew has championed the cause with his extraordinary leadership and commitment by raising 1.6 million dollars for the American Cancer Society with the help of 84 boys and girls basketball teams in the Lackawanna League and Wyoming Valley Conference. The award was presented at the Guardians of the Game Awards Show. Congratulations Drew! Holy Grounds At St. Joe s Cafe Featuring: Fresh brewed coffee in St. Joe s Café every Sunday from 8:00 am to Noon and Wednesday mornings after Mass. 6

7 We believe that our Baptism forms us into a family joined together to love God and one another! Monday, Apr 09, 2018 SOLEMNITY OF THE ANNUNCIATION The three best words Mary is the mother of the church and the model of all Christians. At the message of an angel, she believed beyond all reason and offered her life in service of God s plan. Her response, let it be, is the answer of every disciple who trusts in God s word to make all things new. In the season of Lent, God invites us to believe that we, too, are called to that service. Even though we are sinners how can this be? we live in hope of God s forgiveness and trust that God will work through us to bring about the fulfillment. TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah 7:10-14; 8:10; Hebrews 10:4-10; Luke 1:26-38 (545). Then Mary said, Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word. Tuesday, Apr 10, 2018 EASTER WEEKDAY Be prepared to testify In the Book of Acts we are told that with great power the apostles bore witness to Resurrection. In fact, said Benedictine monk Columba Stewart in National Geographic, the apostles were the movement s cutting edge, spreading the message across the vast trade network of the ancient world and leaving small Christian communities in their paths. This missionary zeal is passed on to each new generation of Christians, but it takes different forms. Today, although many Christians still travel to foreign lands to serve the poor and give witness to Christ, believers are also encouraged to evangelize spread the gospel within their own homes, parishes, and local communities. How is your evangelization going? Hint: They should know you are Christian by your love. TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 4:32-37; John 3:7b-15 (268). We speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen. Wednesday, Apr 11, 2018 MEMORIAL OF STANISLAUS Whom do you follow? Like Archbishop Óscar Romero of El Salvador in the 20th century and Thomas à Becket of England in the 12th century, Saint Stanislaus (c ) was, according to tradition, killed in church, in this case while celebrating Mass. Stanislaus murderer was the king of Poland, with whom he had a number of disputes over land and the king s harsh rule. Throughout history the church has come into conflict with the powers that be. Jesus, of course, was put to death by the religious and political authorities of his time. Dorothy Day, of Catholic Worker fame, wrote in 1966: Every new development for the last three centuries has brought [human beings] closer to the state of affairs in which absolutely nothing would be recognized in the whole world as possessing a claim to obedience except the authority of the State. But for Christians, she said, Christ must be our guide. Who s yours? TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 5:17-26; John 3:16-21 (269). But whoever lives the truth comes to the light. Thursday, Apr 12, 2018 EASTER WEEKDAY Listen to the right voice If it s all up for grabs, why pay attention to what others teach or preach when everyone has their own relationship with God? After all, the Bible says, Obey God, not humans. Well, yes and no. Indeed the buck does stop with God in that we are oriented by our nature to listen to God and respond to God s call. But there s a lot out there to compete with our natural inclinations fear, vulnerability, peer pressure, misinformation, and more all of which can provide compelling alternative messages. Fortunately God graces us with not only our own lights but scripture and the church to give us a better sense of how to navigate. Think about the ways in your own life that God uses to connect with you. TODAY'S READINGS: Acts 5:27-33; John 3:31-36 (270). We must obey God rather than men. Friday, Apr 13, 2018 MEMORIAL OF MARTIN I Gone should not be forgotten Saint Martin is the last pope in history to be honored as a martyr, but his death for the faith did not occur quickly. After being elected pope in 649 he made enemies by opposing a heresy and condemning the emperor for supporting that heresy. As a result, while lying sick, Martin was kidnapped and carted off to the East, where he was jailed and eventually exiled. During this time he was given poor food, not allowed to wash regularly, and came down with dysentery. On top of that he was ignored by his church back home. I wonder... at those who belong to the church of Saint Peter for the little concern they show for one of their body, he wrote. Let this saint s experience motivate you to perform the corporal works of mercy denied him like clothing the naked, feeding the hungry, and visiting the prisoner. 7

8 Baptism Baptisms are normally celebrated on the Third Sunday of every month during or following the 12 noon liturgy. Baptisms may be arranged at other times when necessary. Parent and Godparent preparation occurs monthly. Please call for an appointment. Anointing of the Sick Please contact the rectory at anytime for the celebration of this sacrament. Marriage Arrangements should be made six months prior to the desired wedding date. Please contact Father Lapera. Music Ministry (Both) Spirit Song Ensemble and Voices of Faith Choir: Wed. 7:00 p.m. Genesis Children s Choir: Wed. 4:00 p.m. Art and Environment A team of volunteers who provide an appropriate ideas and design for the decoration of our worship space. Ministers of Hospitality Ministers of Hospitality are the welcoming ambassadors of our parish family at liturgy. Please contact our office for more information. Communion Calls A team of Extraordinary Communion Ministers visit our homebound with Communion every month. For more Information please contact Deacon Bob at rsheils1@comcast.net. Rosary Groups Every Tuesday morning at 10:00 AM and every Tuesday afternoon at 5:15 PM. C.L.O.W. St. Joseph s Outreach Our parish partners with St. Joseph s School in Uganda. Donations are always welcome in support of student tuition. Prayer Shawl Ministry The prayer shawl ministry meets the second Thursday of every month at 7:00 PM in the rectory. Angels at the Doorstep A team of volunteers who provide comfort, a meal or assistance with parishioners and neighbors suffering loss or illness of any kind. Hands Ready To Serve Weekly donations may be left near church entrances or in the cabinet in the hallway near the restroom. See page 4 for a list of items we are collecting this week. There are also four large annual collections. Heavenly Paws A pet group that collects food and supplies for Meals on Wheels. For more information please contact Carol Hughes at carolmariehughes@gmail.com. Hospital Visitation If anyone has a family member, relative or friend in any of the area hospitals and would like them to have a visit, please call the rectory. Veterans Ministry This ministry seeks to raise awareness of the growing problem of homelessness of veterans within our local community and serve residents at St. Francis Commons. For more information please bburkavage@gmail.com Refugee Family Ministry This team will encourage parish support for refugees arriving in our community from all over the world in cooperation with CSS of the Diocese of Scranton. Religious Formation Our Religious Education program takes place every Sunday Morning at 11:05 AM at Our Lady of Peace School for grades K-8. Holy Cross School System Our Lady of Peace School 410 N. Abington Road, Clarks Green, PA Mrs. M. Colleen Jumper, Principal Holy Cross High School 501 E. Drinker Street, Dunmore, PA Mr. Benjamin D. Tolerico, Principal Early Childhood Program Our Kindergarten program is held five days a week and takes place in the Early Childhood Center. Please call R.C.I.A. There currently is an R.C.I.A. team ready to welcome anyone interested in becoming a Catholic or to learn more about their Catholic faith. Please Connie at rsheils1@comcast.net. Women s Guild Guild meetings take place the first Thursday of every month from September through May, with the exception of January. Meetings begin at 7:00 PM and are held in the rectory. saintgregoryswomensguild@gmail. com Community Table A social gathering to foster fellowship, friendship and parish family for all parish adults. The community table meets at a different venue monthly. Information will be published in the Green Dialog or you may judywalsh730@gmail.com. Community Gatherings We come together for seasonal celebrations throughout the year. Please watch bulletin for details and reservation information. Holy Grounds Family, friends and visitors are welcome for coffee after Mass in St. Joe s Café on Wednesday and Sunday mornings.